How far do you feel comfortable using the .223 on coyotes?

MHWASH

WKR
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Aug 21, 2016
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S.E.WA
I'm looking to add another coyote rifle to the mix. The purpose of this rifle will be a light, short barreled suppressed .22. I spent last Saturday walking around from dawn to dusk packing my 10# 22-250 and am looking for a lighter rifle that's a little more balanced that a 20"+8" suppressor hanging off the end.

I've killed 90% of my coyotes with a 22-250, but only a few with a slower .22.
 
Why not keep it a fast .22? A fast twist 22-250 or 22 creed with a 16 inch barrel should still hold 2900-3000 with 80 ELDMs, will give you less wind drift, and farther terminal performance.

That’s what I’m building at least.
 
I’ve used the same hunting load in my 12.5” SBR for many years for fox, coyote and deer. It’s a 60 grain Nosler ballistic tip yawning its way along at 2550fps. It kills everything it touches. I’ve killed coyotes beyond 300 yards and deer past 400 yards. You don’t need a super fast 22 to kill them, just the right bullet and shot placement.

Just one of many. I can’t remember a well hit coyote taking a single step after being hit with that Nosler 60.
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I suppose if I were using my comp gun which is a gen1 Ruger American ranch w/ a bipod I’d be comfortable out to 500yds. I have to be able to hit a 5” target at that range. Should work.
 
I'm looking to add another coyote rifle to the mix. The purpose of this rifle will be a light, short barreled suppressed .22. I spent last Saturday walking around from dawn to dusk packing my 10# 22-250 and am looking for a lighter rifle that's a little more balanced that a 20"+8" suppressor hanging off the end.

I've killed 90% of my coyotes with a 22-250, but only a few with a slower .22.
If you get the length down it will help the carry feel more than the weight.

My coyote gun is around 12lbs but it's a bull pup. I do slingless carry 1-2 miles when I go. I'm used to it.

My day time guns are 8.5-9lbs w/ 16-18" barrels and OTB suppessors and carry well too.

My boys have very light rifles. T3x, SWFA fixed 6s and Scythe TIs. Their 20" factory barrels and the traditional suppressor makes them awkward carry guns.

If everything else is perfect on that gun you currently have grab a new barrel or cut it and put an OG65 or AB Raptor on it.

The cool thing about 22-250 is you get to shoot the barrel out in a couple months to a year and change it up.

Sounds like you're day hunting. You should be good out to 400 with 223.

It's a night game in the east. I have a hard time finding a point of aim past 200 with my thermal device. My buddy has a new new that's clear at distance tho.
 
Most of my coyote shots have been inside of 200yds, but I’d feel pretty comfortable shooting at one out to 400yds. Our fields are pretty open and we can stretch to 600-650yds pretty easily, just gotta watch for cows.
 
My 22-250AI will stay as it is, The current 20" barrel is shooting the 80 ELDm @3300. I do have a OG 30 in jail and that may help with the balance, but I have no plans to change that setup. Sounds like the lowly .223 may be the ticket. I thought about the 22 ARC, but there's not too many factory options out there right now.
 
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